They’re Not MY Resolutions

2009.  I remember when we used to laugh about how saying “1990” sounded like a Sci-Fi movie!! My how time flies.

In the interest of protecting my reputation, I feel led to clarify to y’all that my New Year’s Eve post was NOT, I repeat, NOT my New Year’s resolution list.  It was the “Top 10 for 2009” that I found on the internet. 

Just so ya know… I have NOT taken up drinking and smoking.

But, just for the fun of it, let’s see how I’m doing with the list of things the typical American is geared up to work on during 2009:

1.  Spend more time with family and friends.

I talk to or see most of my sisters and my Mom on a pretty regular basis.  Jodi and I see or talk to each other pretty much every day.  But, family and friends are so important, so I could stand to make more time for all of them.

2.  Fit in fitness. 

I work out every single week.  Since November 2004, I haven’t taken more than a week off of exercise at a time.  Although, this month, I’ve taken an intentional vacation from the gym and from eating as healthy as normal.  This week marks my 3rd week without exercise, y’all!! That is a first.  But, I’m hoping when I go back to the gym next week, my body will respond to the torture it endures – since it hasn’t been for a while.

3.  Tame the bulge.

If you were to spend a week with me, you’d find that I eat several small meals a day.  I used to eat 6, but I’ve cut it down to about 3 with 1 or 2 small snacks a day.  Sundays are FREE day – I eat whatever I want without worrying about the caloric cost.  Sundays are good days!  In the past couple of months, I have tried an eating plan called “Eat, Stop, Eat”.  It involves a day or two per week where you fast for 24 hours.  You never go a day without food, just 24 hours, so you sleep for a lot of the fast.  An example would be to stop eating on Sunday night at 6 PM and start back again at 6 PM on Monday evening.  I thought it was CRAZY, but actually it is more doable than eating perfect all week long!  It’s a very interesting concept that I may or may not continue.

4.  Quit smoking.

I know y’all are dying to know.  I started smoking when I was 13 years old.  Yep, you read that right.  My sister, Suz #3, and I went out to the curb in our front yard and she “let” me smoke with her.  She taught me to exhale (I know, I know, Bill Clinton would be ashamed of me)… and I coughed and gagged and thought she was playing a dirty trick on me.  She said I’d look like a dork if I just puffed and didn’t  inhale – so I mastered the inhale after a month or two.  I continued smoking (behind my loving parent’s backs) off and on until I turned 19.  That’s when I started getting migraines.  I blamed the cigarettes, so I dropped them.  I STILL have dreams that I smoke.  I hate that!!  Oh, for those of you who know that I used to play basketball in high school – I would NEVER touch cigarettes during ball season.  (Dedication.)  But would start smoking again during the summer. 

I can’t believe I just typed this paragraph.

5.  Enjoy life more (reduce stress).

When it comes to stress, I believe everyone has their own stress level.  What is no big deal to me may be a huge deal to someone else.  Typically, what’s a BIG deal to me is mashed potatoes to someone else.  I don’t handle stress very well.  Most of my stress comes from being a mother.  Before I had kids, nothing bothered me, I was pretty fun-loving and laid back.  Having children has definitely made me aware of my “worry bone”.  This is one area of my life that God can spend a while working on.

6.  Quit drinking.

I haven’t had a drop of alcohol since 1990 when I gave my heart to the Lord.  And I’m good with that!

7.  Get out of debt/Save money.

I was completely debt free in October 2007.  The only thing I owe money on is my little Nissan Sentra we bought last summer.  If you want to reduce some stress, try getting out of debt!  Then, try saving for an added euphoria!! Amazing.

8.  Learn something new.

Kale gets on to me for lagging on my technology skills.  I used to be up on all the new computer stuff… but then he got smart and started reading up and tinkering and learning and I didn’t have to.  Oh, that aggravates him!  But, I do try to learn new ways to do my job easier on a regular basis and it thrills me to no end to learn something new that I can use often!!  I don’t see myself learning a new language or going back to school or anything any time soon, though.

9.  Help others.

I think that one of the things that is wrong with America today is that we have forgotten to care for others.  We have replaced the lost act of visiting with our neighbors with cell phones, video games, and busy-ness.    Ms. Charlsie has given me a renewed sense of the joy that comes with doing for others.  I hope to continue learning to be more kind-hearted now I’m in the (mostly) Empty Nest and my life has slowed down a bit.

10.  Get organized.

Most people think I’m organized.  I’m told I’m a perfectionist.  But, I see the chaos that’s all around me.  I have a Blackberry to try to help me not forget things and to keep track of my calendar… but showed up for a doctor’s appointment a week and a half early last month.  So, yes, I could work more on getting organized.  I have “tax season” on my mind today!

The other two; prayer and Bible reading are two areas that I think I could always do more of.  I am working on understanding the love of God more each day and learning to trust Him more with the things I hold most dear.

So, now that you know that I’m not hung over this morning… I can get on with my day.

Have a Happy New Year!